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Sr. Hardware Design Engineer

Xylem · Morton Grove, IL · $100,000–$120,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 3, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time a component went end of life or became hard to get. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they think about supply and lifecycle during component selection, not only performance.

Describe a disagreement with the mechanical or firmware team about a design trade-off. How was it settled?

What they are checking: Whether they work through cross-team trade-offs with data and respect rather than digging in.

How do you guide junior engineers through their first board design?

What they are checking: Whether a senior engineer reviews and teaches in a way that builds others' judgment.

What would you do

A deployed product is failing in the field and nobody knows if it is hardware or firmware. How do you find out?

What they are checking: Whether they can run root cause across both hardware and software with a methodical approach.

About the work

Walk me through a mixed-signal board you designed. How did you keep the analog section quiet?

What they are checking: Whether they understand grounding, partitioning and layout choices that decide whether sensor readings are clean.

How do you approach power management design for an embedded control and monitoring system?

What they are checking: Whether they think through rails, efficiency, protection and thermal limits for equipment in harsh settings.

Tell me about a sensor interface you designed. What did you do about noise, protection and calibration?

What they are checking: Whether they design inputs that survive real field conditions, not just a bench test.

How do you decide on the stackup for a multi-layer PCB, and which ECAD tools have you used?

What they are checking: Whether they make stackup choices for signal integrity and cost instead of copying an old design.

How do you write a verification and validation test plan for new hardware?

What they are checking: Whether they plan tests that trace back to requirements and catch problems before production.

How comfortable are you writing embedded C or C++, and when have you had to dig into firmware yourself?

What they are checking: Whether they can work across the firmware line instead of handing every issue to another team.

What do you include in hardware design documentation so another engineer can pick it up later?

What they are checking: Whether they document decisions and reasons, which matters for long-life products that need support for years.

Practice this interview out loud.

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The full job description

As published by Xylem.

Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions. Key Responsibilities • Design, develop, and maintain embedded hardware for intelligent control and monitoring systems. • Build analog, digital, and mixed-signal schematics, component selection, power management systems, and sensor interfaces. • Design multi-layer printed circuit boards using electronic computer-aided design (ECAD) software. • Create technical design documentation, engineering specifications, and verification/validation test plans. • Perform system integration, debugging, verification, and performance testing of hardware and software. • Conduct root-cause analysis and engineering diagnostics on deployed products at both hardware and software levels. • Support and participate in Embedded Firmware development using programming languages such as C/C++ language, different development environments. • Coordinate with software, firmware, and mechanical packaging teams to ensure smooth system integration and compliance including EMC/EMI, FCC, CE, UL, CSA, and other applicable product certifications. • Provide technical support for manufacturing, production testing, and quality improvement initiatives. • Travel to customer sites as required to investigate, diagnose, and resolve field issues involving installed products. • Translate Voice of Customer (VoC), market needs, and commercial requirements into hardware and software design specifications. • Support New Product Development (NPD) activities following the Xylem Product Development (XPD) process. • Interface with customers, installers, consultants, distributors, suppliers, and cross-functional engineering teams to resolve technical issues and improve product performance. • Participate in design reviews, technical risk assessments, and continuous improvement initiatives. Required Qualifications • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline. • Minimum 7 years of experience in embedded systems, electronic controls, or industrial automation, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. • Experience developing products utilizing Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) in industrial or commercial pumping, HVAC, or similar applications. • Experience working within global engineering teams and structured product development processes. • Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate across engineering, manufacturing, product management, and customer-facing teams. • Willingness to travel domestically and internationally (approximately 10–20%) for customer support, product validation, and technical meetings. Technical Expertise Required Experience • Embedded systems development using PIC microcontrollers or similar embedded platforms • PCB design, layout, and manufacturing support • Digital and analog circuit design, simulation and testing using lab equipment • Embedded firmware development in C/C++ • Industrial communication protocols including Modbus, BACnet, DeviceNet, TCP/IP, Zigbee, CAN, RS-485. • Integration of pressure, flow, temperature, level, and other industrial sensors and actuators • Communication gateways and Industrial IoT connectivity for remote monitoring and diagnostics Strong Working Knowledge Of • Hardware development lifecycle from concept through production • Proficiency in Altium or equivalent PCB Desing Software • Proficient in using Oscilloscopes, Multimeters, Power Supplies and logic analyzers • Knowledge of Software development best practices including version control, code reviews, unit testing, integration testing • Engineering analysis and simulation tools such as MATLAB, Simulink, and PSIM • Product verification and validation methodologies • Regulatory compliance including UL, CE, EMC, and applicable industrial standards • Manufacturing support, DFM (Design for Manufacturability), and production test methodologies • Control system architecture and control algorithm development • Closed-loop control of motors and pumping systems Preferred Qualifications • Experience developing smart connected products or Industrial IoT solutions. • Experience with motor control systems and variable speed pumping applications. • Familiarity with cybersecurity concepts for embedded devices and connected products. • Experience with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other wireless communication technologies. • Knowledge of cloud-connected monitoring platforms and communication gateways. • Experience supporting products through field deployment and post-launch continuous improvement. • Project leadership or technical leadership experience within cross-functional engineering teams. The salary range for this position is $100,000 to $120,000 plus bonus. Starting pay is dependent on multiple factors, such as skills, experience, and work location, and is not typically at the top of the range. At Xylem, we offer a competitive compensation package with a generous benefit package, including Medical, Dental, and Vision plans, 401(k) with company contribution, paid time off, paid parental leave, and tuition reimbursement. #LI-SUTTONMOORE Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world. At Xylem, you'll not only contribute to solving water issues but also have the chance to make a difference through our paid Volunteer Program, Xylem Watermark. We prioritize our employees' well-being through inclusion and belonging as well as our Employee Resource Groups (ERG). Proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (including disability and veterans) and Affirmative Action workplace, Xylem fosters an inclusive environment free from discrimination or harassment. Please note that the information in this job description outlines the general nature of the position and is not an exhaustive list of duties. Xylem is dedicated to providing reasonable accommodations to enable all employees to perform their essential job functions. We reserve the right to modify this job description and assign additional duties as needed. Embrace the opportunity to be part of Xylem's transformative journey in shaping the future of water technology! #XylemCareers #GlobalImpact #WaterInnovation

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